10 Happiness Hacks

After the doom, gloom, isolation and lack of vacation in 2020, we’re stepping into 2021 with a checklist for positivity, self-growth and happiness.

Let’s face it, we’ve all gone through a lot. It’s not every year a global pandemic will literally take over our lives and confine us to our homes. But it’s also made us more aware of the value and necessity of self-care and the relationships we have with not only others but also with ourself.

1. Write a personal vision statement

Forget those all-too-easy-to-break New Year’s resolutions; this year it’s all about vision state-ments. They help you stay focussed on your end goals, clarify what’s important to you and help you get through the rough times.

Ask yourself: What do you want to achieve? In which areas of your life do you most want to grow? How can you do this? And what will the outcomes of your efforts be when the clock hits 12:01 on January 1, 2022?

Record your personal vision statements by writing them down, making a selfie video or even creating a vision board. It’s a great way to help you live your life with purpose and meaning.

2. Learn something new

Whether you’ve always wanted to learn the piano, become a green thumb or unleash your creative side, purposeful activities can help you relax and improve your mental health while remaining productive. You don’t have to create a piece of art or perform a concerto for the Syd-ney Symphony Orchestra – its all about having a good time and pursuing passions.

For a mood boost, gardening gets our vote. Numerous scientific studies have found that bac-teria in soil can improve brain function, quell stress and Scientists have discovered that the mycobacterium found in soil can improve brain function, boost the immune system and even improve serotonin levels.

The coronavirus pandemic has opened up infinite new online learning opportunities. Online courses enable you to brush up on your skills or gain newfound knowledge. As an added bo-nus, many of these courses are free!

3. Create new work rituals

Have you been spending most of your waking life in front of your computer working from home? While we’re all about the comfy clothes and extra snooze time, the WFH revolution comes with its challenges. We need to be extra vigilant to remain connected with our col-leagues, set boundaries so we can “switch off” and stay in a productive headspace and, most importantly, leave work at work, (which can be difficult when you also live there!).

If you’re continuing to WFH in 2021, your new work rituals should first include setting up a daily schedule and sticking to it – we are creatures of habit and research has found having a con-sistent daily routine can have a positive impact on mental health. Also schedule in designated breaks, whether to eat lunch away from your desk, virtual workouts with friends or colleagues, go for a walk to clear your head, or spend some time cultivating your new hobby (see #2). It’s also important to create a dedicated workspace that you can “clock off” from, even if it’s just a chair at your kitchen table.

4. Spend money on experiences, not stuff

There’s no denying the thrill of an Amazon delivery at your door or buying the latest iPhone, however, the experiences we have, rather than the stuff we own, are more likely to make us smile.

In a 20-year study by Dr Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University, it was found that experiences – as fleeting as they may be—deliver more-lasting happiness than our possessions. The researchers explained that experiences, such as travel, attending a sporting event or concert or even just going to a restaurant, become a part of our identi-ty. We are not our possessions, but we are the accumulation of everything we’ve seen, the things we’ve done, and the places we’ve been. A lot of times we also we also consume ex-periences directly with other people, and after they’re gone, they’re part of the stories that we tell to one another.

5. Hug more

While we’re feeling all warm and fuzzy, let’s talk about hugs. Social distancing rules aside, when you hug a person, your body releases the feel-good chemical, oxytocin. It’s a hormone linked to social bonding, fostering trust and loyalty.

Hugging can be good for your health. They can reduce feelings of stress or anxiety, lower your blood pressure, reduce pain and may even ward of illness!

Humans thrive on physical connection, and hugging is one of the most powerful ways to show physical support, so go on and hug it out.

6. Keep a gratitude journal

It can be easy to take for granted what’s special in our lives. A gratitude journal reminds us of what’s truly important in our lives.

A growing body of research shows keeping a log of what you are thankful for can lower stress, help you sleep better, and may even reduce the risk of heart disease.

Write about the best things that have happened to you during the course of the day and con-sider all the people and things in your life you’re grateful for. And don’t forget to practice some self-love and include yourself and your amazing body and all that it allows you to do.

7. Get enough sleep

We all know how sleepless nights can lead to puffy, tired eyes and brain fog, but there’s more to sleep than that. Science has linked poor slumber with a number of health problems, includ-ing depression, weight gain and a weakened immune system.

Sleep provides an opportunity for the body to repair and rejuvenate itself. Many of the major restorative functions in the body such as muscle growth, tissue repair, protein synthesis and growth hormone release occur mostly, or in some cases only, during sleep.
Sleep is critical for immune function, improving the metabolism, maintaining a healthy weight, enjoying a positive mood, optimising physical and mental performance and preventing prema-ture ageing.

So there you have it – a good 7-9 hours of sleep each night is essential for your health and happiness.

8. Drink (more) water

Water is essential to to nearly every part of your body. It carries nutrients and oxygen to your cells, flushes out bacteria, helps digestion, protects organs, tissues and joints, regulates body temperature and normalises blood pressure. Water can improve memory and mood, reduce sugar cravings, aid in weight loss, reduce headaches and improve mental and physical perfor-mance.

Give your body enough fluids each day to avoid dehydration and look and feel your best. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning when you wake up, and keep drinking water at regu-lar intervals throughout the day. Harvard Medical School recommends four to six cups of water daily as a rule for generally healthy people.

9. Enjoy daily exercise

While it’s no new concept, it remains the best tip for getting and staying in shape, and enjoying a happy, healthy outlook on life. Doing activities you love is the best way to exercise. And don’t discount the myriad benefits of walking. Walking for 20-30 minutes each day improves heart health, boosts immunity and enhances your mood. Yoga is also a favourite for overall health and vitality – it’s not just a great workout that strengthens and stretches the muscles, it relaxes the mind and eases stress too.

Moving your body is a great way to show it some love. Exercise tones your muscles and helps you use up stress hormones. Think of it as a rewarding experience.

10. Volunteer

Volunteering your time is a great way to help others and fill your happiness tank at the same time. Research has found that participation in voluntary services is significantly predictive of better mental and physical health, overall life satisfaction, self-esteem and happiness.
Volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety, and the social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on your overall psycho-logical well-being. CBM